Paper making and the like machines



July 5, 1960 F. w. J. LEEK 2,943,577 PAPER MAKING AND THE LIKE MACHINESFiled March 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v 1960 F. w. J. LEEK 2,943,677

' PAPER MAKING AND THE LIKE MACHINES Filed March 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet2 supply to the interior of the cylinder.

United States Patent PAPER MAKING AND THE LIKE MACHINES Francis WilliamJoseph Leek, 107 Wavendene Ave., Thorpe Lea, Egham, Surrey, EnglandFiled Mar. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 718,808

Claims priority, application Great Britain Mar. 6, 1957 20 Claims. (Cl.162-319) This invention relates to paper making and the like machines.

It is an object of the invention to provide a paper making machine ofsimpler construction to those presently in use, which provides a betterdegree of control of the paper making process, and which will producepaper or board at a faster rate.

In hitherto known machines of one kind, a rotatable 1 rotates and thefibre web or sheet is taken ed the cylinder The drainage water or whitewater is pumped by a couching roll and transferred to a blanket cloth orwire which runs over the couching roll. The blanket cloth then passesover one or moresuction boxes or rolls to a forming roll where the fibresheet is manufactured to the desired thickness of board or paperrequired.

The present invention aims at avoiding the use of arotating drum andthereby the attendant heavy expenditure is simplified particularly. theconnection of'the suction To this end, the present invention consists ina paper making machine, comprising a vat for containing stock, *meansfor feeding stock to said vat, means within said vat for guiding acontinuous paper formingwire over an ex- If tended substantially tubularpath through the stock within said vat, means for moving saidpaper-forming wire over .said path, and means for applying suction to atleast a part of the interior of said extended path to remove liquidfromthe stock collecting on the wire.

7 Preferably, the means for guiding the paper forming wire over theextended path comprises a framework of substantially tubular shapehorizontally arranged in said vat so as to be partly immersed in saidvat, and constituted by a pair of spaced apart plates closing the endsof said ,,frarnework and a plurality of freely rotatable rollersex-"tending longitudinally between and spaced around said end plates toformthe periphery of said framework. The

paper forming wire comprises an endless band of wire mesh, of a widthsubstantially equal to the spacing between the end plates, guided overthe rollers around the extended path formed by the periphery of theframework. "Thus the side of the framework is substantially enclosed bythe wire mesh which forms a perforate wall thereon.

* Means are provided for moving the endless band of wire umesharound thefarme'work. 1 The end platesare held rigidly in the vat preferably by"means of two horizontally arranged tubes, one of which-',mayiconveniently serve for the supply of suction to that part of theinterior of the framework lying above the leye1 of the stock in the vat,whilst the other pipe may be.

ice

extended inside the framework so as to reach below the level of thewater percolating through the wire mesh and can be used for removingthis drainage water or white water to recirculate it to the stock.

In order to seal the edges of the wireband as it passes over the rollersforming the periphery of the framework, the end plates are preferablyprovided with a flange or lip shaped to follow the path followed by theband as it passes over the rollers. This flange or lip is preferablyprovided with a suitably shaped facing of wood, synthetic plastic orother suitable material in order to minimise tearing of the edges of theband.

In the inside of the vat there is preferably provided a trough or vatcircle of substantially semicircular cross section which approximatelyfollows the contour of the periphery of the framework but spaced aparttherefrom. The stock spills over the edges of the vat circle or troughfrom. the vat and fills the space between the vat vircle and the wireband forming the perforate wall of the framework. The end edges of thevat circle lie closely adjacent to the edges of the wire band where itruns over the flange or lip on the end plates of the framework. A liquidseal is advantageously provided between the edge of the vat, the endplate of the framework and the edge o f-the band to prevent anysubstantial leakage of stock, past the end plates. Any water escapingcan be collected in a box or container attached to the outside of theframework end plates from whence it can be pumped back by suitable pipesto the stock reservoir. I

In order to assist drainage of water from the stock as it is picked upby the band during its passage through the vat circle, the periphery ofthe rollers forming the sides of the framework are preferably grooved.Conveniently, each roller is provided with a screw thread preferably asquare or acme thread running from end to end of the roller.Alternatively, two threads of opposite hand may ,be provided eachrunning from the centre of the roller to the respective ends. In orderstill further to assistdrainage and to prevent clogging of the wiremesh, a further thread or groove may be cut in the crest of thefirst-mentioned, square or acme thread to receive wire wound tightlyalong the thread groove in a spiral. The diameter of the wire and thedepth of the second-mentioned thread or groove is preferably so selectedthat the wire spiral slightly projects above the surface of the roller.Instead of the wire spiral a cord of rubber or other resilient materialmay be used. Alternatively, the surface of the rollers may be clothed inwire mesh coverings.

The vat may be of any suitable construction and preferably contains oneor more anti-surge bafiies between the vat walls and the vat circle inorder to equalise the flow of the stock. Since it is normally possibleonly to move the band in one direction through the vat, means arepreferably provided for supplying the stock at both ends of the vat inorder to permit concurrent or countercurrent flow of the stock withrespect to the movement of the. wire band.

In order that the invention maybe more readily understood, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate diagrammatically andby way of example,

several embodiments thereof, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a board makingmachine;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side view thereof, partly. in section; a a

Fig. 3 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of a modified form ofroller constituting the periphery of the paper- ,making drum; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a modified maf chine for thecontinuous production of board.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the intermittent board making machinecomprises a vat 1 for containing the stock,

i above the level of the stock in the vat.

.3 a stationary framework or drum 2 located in the vat and adapted toguide an endless paper forming wire band 3 over an extended,substantially tubular path, a suction box 4, a paper making head 5, anda driving roller 6 driven by any suitable power means (not shown).

The vat 1 is provided with an inlet 7 for stock at one side and, ifdesired, with a second stockinlet 8 at the opposite side, if it isdesired to introduce the stock in counter current to the direction ofmovement of the wire band 3 indicated by the arrows. Anti-surge baffles9 are preferably provided in order to obtain a smooth flow of stockthrough the vat. Arranged within the vat is a vat circle or trough 10 ofsubstantially semi-circular crosssection which approximately follows thecontour of the drum 2 but is spaced apart therefrom. The stock spillsover the upper edges ll of the vat circle and fills the space 12 betweenthe vat circle and the periphery of the framework or drum 2.

' The tubular framework or drum 2 for the paper form- 'ing wire 3 isconstituted by a pair of spaced apart plates 13 closing the ends of thetubular framework and a plurality of freely rotatably mounted rollers 14extending longitudinally between and spaced around the end plates 13 toform the periphery of the framework. The rollers 14 are journalled inanti-friction bearing 15 mounted on bearing blocks 16 on the end plates13. The endless wire 'band 3 is of wire mesh, of a width slightlygreater than the spacing between the end plates 13, and is guided overthe rollers 14 around the extended substantially tubular path formed bythe periphery of the framework. Thus the side of the framework issubstantially enclosed by the wire mesh which forms a perforate wallthereon. The wire band 3 further extends over the suction box 4 aroundthe driving roller 6 and returns to the drum 2 via guide roller 65 andreversing roller 66, mounted in bearings 17 adjustable at 18 to adjustthe tension in the band.

Secured in the end plates 13 and extending longitudinally of the drum 2are two tubes or pipes 19 and 20.

I The tube 19 is adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum (notshown) and is provided with a row of apertures 21 along its lengthwithin the drum arranged to lie The tube is likewise provided withapertures or outlets 22 along its length but arranged to extend beneaththe level of liquid in the drum. The tube 20 is adapted for connectionto a pump and serves for removing drainage or white water from the drumto recirculate -it to the stock supply (not shown). Any other suitableconnection may be made to the end plates for drainage of the Whitewater. It will be realised that since the end plates are stationary, theconnection of vacuum and drainage pipes to the interior of the frameworkis greatly simplified compared with corresponding connections to arotating wire-covered drum as in previous constructions.

The drum or framework 2 is supported at each end in the vat 1 by thetubes 19 and 20 by U-shaped straps 23 which are bolted at 24 to theupper edge 25 of an outer tank or compartment 26 provided at each end ofthe vat 1. The tanks 26 serve to collect any stock or liquid which mayescape between the end plates 13 and the shaped end wall 27 of the vatas will later be more fully described. A drain outlet 48 is provided forremoving liquid or stock from the tank 26 to recirculate it to the stocksupply.

In order to minimise Wear of the edges of the band as it runs over theend plates 13 and also to seal the edges against leakage of liquid, aninwardly extending flange or lip 28 is provided having a facing 29 ofwood or synthetic plastic the outer face of which is suitably curved tofacilitate movement of the band and to protect and seal the edges.Furthermore, a liquid seal comprising a substantially U-shaped sectionchannel or trough 30 extends around the gap between the edge of thelower half of the end plates 13 and the adjacent edge 27 of the vat. One

limb 31 of the U-shaped channel 30 is secured to the end plate 13 andthe other limb 32 to the end wall 27. In

.4 use the channel fills with liquid up to the level of the stock in thevat and forms a seal. A drain hole (not shown) leading into the tank 26is provided in the lowermost part of the channel 30.

The rollers 14 are each provided with a screw thread or helical groovealong its length within the end plates 13 to assist drainage of waterfrom the stock as it is picked up by the band 3 during its passagethrough the vat 1. Advantageously, the threaded portion comprises aright-hand and a left-hand thread 33a and 33b, respectively running fromthe centre of the roller towards the respective ends in order to drawthe water away from the centre of the band towards the sides. To furtherassist in draining away the water and to prevent clogging of the wiremesh the modified roller 114 shown in Fig. 3 is used. Roller 114 islikewise provided with right-hand and left-hand threads 33a and 33b asin the previous embodiment of roller. A further helical groove or thread3411 and 34d is respectively cut in the crest of the first mentionedthreads 33a and 33b. A metal wire or a cord 35 of rubber or otherresilient material is wound spirally in the groove 33a and 33b. Thediameter of the Wire or cord 35 and the depth of the grooves 33a and 33bis so selected that the wire or cord spiral 35 projects slightly abovethe surface of the roller.

In view of the fact that in the machine of the invention, the tubularframework or drum 2 is stationary and only the paper-making wire 3forming the periphery of the drum rotates, it is possible, in a verysimple manner to apply suction to the under surface of the wire as itpasses over the framework lying above the level of the liquid in the vatcircle 10, because the pipes 19 and 20 for supplying the suction do nothave to pass through rotating parts of the drum with the consequentnecessity of providing expensive seals for such connections. In order toincrease the suction applied to the stock forming on the band 3, theinterior of the upper part of the framework is subdivided by a baffle 36or the like into a suction zone or compartment 37.

If desired, a plurality of battles may be provided to subdivide theinterior of the drum into a plurality of zones or compartments to whichdifferent degrees of suction may be applied. A strip 38 of felt, rubberor other resilient material is afiixed to the edges of the baffle 36 toseal against the moving band 3.

The suction box 4 comprises a shallow open container or box 39 mountedon girders 40 secured to the vat 1.

'The upper surface of the box is constituted by a plurality of capillaryrollers 41 which form a support for the wire band 3 and assist drainageof liquid therefrom. A suction pipe 42 is arranged in the bottom of thebox 39 and is adapted to be connected to a source of suction (notshown). The suction pipe is provided with a plurality of suctionapertures 43 in its upper surface and throughout its length. Siphontubes 44 are provided to take away liquid collecting in the box 39. Thedegree of suction applied to the pipe 42 is such that it will maintainonly a depth of liquid in the box 39 which is less than the verticaldistance between the base of the box 39 and the suction apertures 43.

The making head 5 is mounted in the suction box 39 and comprises amaking roll 45, adjustably mounted in side members 46 secured to the box39, and a couch roll 47 against which the roll 45 presses. The paper webis couched olf on to the making roll 45 and builds up until the desiredthickness of board is obtained whereupon the formed board is cut fromthe making roll and further processed in the usual manner.

: For the production of a continuous web of paper or board, thearrangement shown in Fig. 4 is used. The

apparatus comprises a plurality of vat, drum and wire band assembliesarranged in series (only two being shown in the drawing marked A and B).The construction of the assemblies A and B is in all principal respectsthe same as Figs. lto 3 and accordingly no detailed descnption be given.Mounted over the series ofvat assemblies A, Bis an endless blanket cloth50 which is moved by means not shown in the direction of the arrows. Asthe fibre web is formed on the wire band 3.

of vatassembly A it is couched off by roll 51 on to'the underside of theblanket cloth. Similarly, the web formed on the band 3 of vat assembly Bis couched off by roll 52 on to the fibre web previously formed fromvat. assembly A and adhering to blanket cloth 50, thereby increasing thethickness of the fibre web. The process is repeated for each vatassembly until the requisite thickness of web is built up. The web isthen removed from the blanket cloth in known manner for drying andfurther processingin the usual way. I

(A modified form of suction box is provided in the arrangement of Fig. 4and comprises three rolls 53 arranged in abutting relationship in such away as to form a trough- :shaped space 54 between them. This space isclosed by the. wire band 3 running over. the outer rollers and by endplates (notshown) enclosingthe ends of the rollers so that suction canbe applied to the closed space so formed. Conveniently, the threerollers 53 are shown arranged in the shape of a V on the underside ofthe wire band, the band passing over the two outer rollers forming thearms of the V. Such a suction box formed by three rollers canadvantageously be used on the underside of the wire band in conjunctionwith couch or press roll 51 or 52. on the outside of the band, the pressroll running between the two outer rolls forming the V. In this wayexcess moisture can be removed from the fibre sheet by the pressure ofthe press roll without the sheet being picked up by the press roll sincethe fibre sheet is held against the wire band by the suction applied tothe V-shaped space between the three rollers forming the suction box.

Means for cleaning the wire band, for example a water spraying device,may advantageously be provided on the return run of the band. Moreover,adjustable water jets may be fitted internally in the framework or drumand directed outwardly against the wire band in order that the fibre webmay be split longitudinally into two or more widths as required.

The machine of the present invention can be used for the continuous orintermittent production of paper, board or tubes. The machine is alsosuitable for making asbestos cement board.

I claim:

1. A paper making machine comprising a vat for containing stock, meansfor feeding stock to said vat, a plurality of horizontal tubes extendinglongitudinally into said vat and secured to said vat, a substantiallytubular horizontal framework arranged in said vat surrounding said tubesand extending into said stock, said framework including a pair of spacedend plates non rotatably supported by said tubes forming the ends ofsaid framework and a plurality of parallel freely rotatable rollerssupported at peripherally spaced locations on said end plates andextending longitudinally between said end plates, a continuouspaper-forming wire band extending around said framework adapted to beguided through the stock in said vat, means adapted to move said bandover said rollers, and means adapted to apply suction through at leastone of said tubes to a part of the interior of said framework wherebyliquid is removed from the stock collected on said band.

2. A paper making machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of saidtubes includes a plurality of suction openings along its length abovethe level of said stock in said vat and another of said tubes includes aplurality of openings along its length beneath the level of stock insaid vat.

3. A paper making machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidframework includes sealing means at the periphery of said end platesadapted to protect the edges of said wire band.

4. A paper making machine as set forth in claim 3,

wherein said sealing means. includes a flange oii said end platesconforming to the path of said wire during passage around saidframework. a

.5. A paper making machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein said flangeis provided with a wear reducing material.

6. In a paper making machine as in claim 1, wherein said vat includes asemi-circular trough conforming. to the contour of said framework andspaced therefrom and adapted .to contain a portion of said liquid insaid stock and allow spilling of said stock into the remaining space insaid vat.

7. A paper making machine as in claim- 6, wherein said vat includesanti-surge baflles adapted to provide'even flow of stock into said vat.I I

8. A paper making machine as in claim 1, wherein said rollers includegrooves in the periphery of said rollers adapted to facilitate drainageof water from said 'wire band. 9. A paper making machine as in claim 8,wherein said rollers include a screw thread along the periphery of saidroller.

10. A paper making machine as in claim 8, wherein said rollers include apair of screw threads of opposite hand from the center of said roller tothe respective ends of said roller.

11. A paper making machine as in claim 9, wherein said thread includes arecess in the crest of said thread adapted to receive an extendedinsert, extended resilient means wound around said tubes in said recessin spiral form, said resilient means adapted to extend beyond thesurface of said roller.

12. A paper making machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said meansfor feeding stock to said vat include inlet means spaced at oppositeends of said vat adapted to selectively permit concurrent orcountercurrent flow of said stock with respect to the movement of saidwire band.

13. A paper making machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidframework includes a baflie mounted within said framework adapted tosubdivide said framework to suction zones.

14. A paper making machine as in claim 1, further comprising a suctionbox adjacent said vat, said suction box adapted to conduct said wireband from said framework around said suction box, and a making headadjacent said wire adapted to remove paper from said wire band.

15. A paper making machine as in claim 14, wherein said suction boxincludes an open top container, a plurality of freely rotatablecapillary rollers arranged across the top of said container transverseto said wire band and adapted to support said wire band, a suction pipearranged in said container above the level of liquid collecting in saidcontainer, an outlet for liquid in said container, and a press roll insaid box in feeding engagement with said making roll.

16. A paper making machine as in claim 1, wherein said vat includes anupstanding wall and a semi-circular depression in said wall adapted toreceive said end plates, and wherein said framework includes a channelsecured to the lower periphery of said end plates and to the outersurface of said depression in said wall whereby liquid is prevented fromspilling out of said wall.

17. A paper making machine as set forth in claim 16, wherein saidchannel includes a pair of limbs, one of said limbs being secured tosaid wall and another of said limbs being secured to said end plate,whereby said channel, said wall and said vat collect and return liquidfrom said wire band.

18. A paper making machine as in claim 17, wherein said channel isfurther adapted to return said liquid from said channel to said vat.

19. A paper making machine comprising a plurality of vats adjacentlydisposed, means for feeding stock into said. vats, a stationary;frarrieworkof substantially tubular.

supported by said tubes, and means for applying suction 10 r to at leastoneof said tubes, a plurality of paper-forming wire bands disposedpartially about said tubular frame work and adapted for guidance throughsaid stock by saidtframework, and endless blanket cloth inengagementwith said paper-forming wire. bands, a couching roll 15 associated witheach of saidwire bands whereby a fiber web forming-'on'said bands aresuccessively superimposed upon said blanketVfortbuild-up to a desiredthickness and process means for forming and removing paper from saidblanket;

2.0. lnlapaper making machine as in claim 19 wherein.

said.proce'ssmean s comprise suction boxesrdisposed-beneathisaidcouchingrolls includingv a plurality of rolls in abutting relationship to formtatrough-shaped space 4 between said rolls,.said trough-rsh'apedspaceadaptedlto be closed" by said'.wire.-band running over, said outerrrolls, stop plates connected to said rolls adapted to enclose the endsofsaid trough-shaped space and means, for applyingsuction to saidspace.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,660,538

Whitney Feb. 28, 1928 1,911,310 Ellis May 30; 1933 1-,917;098- CofrinJuly 4, 1933 2,046,270 Lane et al. June 30; 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS21',597i Sweden Mar. 24; 1905 131,706 Australia Mar. 10, 1942

